Tick-tock. The rhythmic pulse of the Howrah Station clock tower. Its twin clocks gleam. They’re a familiar sight for Kolkata’s commuters. A comforting echo of London’s Big Ben. This isn’t just any clock tower. It’s a piece of history. A silent witness to the city’s evolution.
The British built many clock towers across Kolkata. Their aim was to instill a sense of timekeeping. They wanted to regulate the lives of the populace. They were trying to impose a different concept of time. This was markedly different from the way the locals had historically viewed time. The clock towers were a visible symbol of British influence. They were meant to be more than just timekeeping devices.
These towers stood in bustling marketplaces. Many people couldn’t afford personal watches. The clock towers thus served a practical purpose. They became meeting points. They were centres of daily life. They provided a common reference point for the community.
The Howrah Station clock tower though. It is particularly special. It was installed in 1926. Its twin clocks are mounted on heavy wooden frames. The dials measure a significant 45 inches in diameter. The hour hand is 18 inches long. The minute hand stretches to an impressive 24 inches.
Imagine the countless people who have looked at this clock. Think of the generations it has served. Picture the hurried footsteps. See the lingering glances. Hear the whispered conversations. It has measured the passage of time for over a century.
The clock tower continues to be a focal point. It remains an enduring symbol. It’s a symbol of Kolkata’s blend of past and present. It continues to play a significant role in the lives of Kolkata’s citizens. The tick-tock of the Boro Ghori. It is the heartbeat of Howrah Station. It is the heartbeat of Kolkata.